Biden hails launch of indirect Israeli - Palestinian talks

Published March 9th, 2010 - 15:26 GMT

The U.S. will back those willing to "take risks for peace," U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday

The U.S. will back those willing to "take risks for peace," U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday during his visit to Israel. According to the AP, Biden said he was pleased that Israelis and Palestinians had agreed this week to resume indirect peace negotiations with U.S. mediation.

"Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel," he said. Biden said he hoped the beginning of indirect talks would be "a vehicle by which we can begin to allay that layer of mistrust that has built up in the last several years."

"The United States will always stand with those who take risks for peace," Biden said standing beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He told the Israeli leader, "you're prepared to do that."